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Proper Disposal of

Lesson 3:
Household Hazardous Waste
Lesson’s Concept
Many household products are hazardous, both when they are used and when they are
disposed of. They must be separated carefully from regular waste. Most household
hazardous waste can be taken to a collection site, where some of the hazardous waste
can be recycled. Inappropriate disposal of household hazardous waste can harm the
environment and people.

PURPOSE Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, page


Students will learn how household hazardous 15)
waste should be disposed of. - People “need to exercise judgment, care,
and planning . . . in their practices of
OVERVIEW disposing of wastewater and materials.”
In this lesson students will: (Science Framework, page 125)
• Observe a variety of empty containers - Students “acquire information by

K–3 Module
and some labels of household hazardous listening, observing, using community
resources, and reading various forms of

Unit 5
waste.
literature and primary and secondary
• Color and put together a coloring book source materials.” (History–Social Science
about household hazardous waste. Framework, page 26)
• Play a relay game to learn appropriate • Students read words concerning house-
disposal methods for various household hold hazardous waste, and they color a
products. corresponding picture. They also write
• Listen to a speaker from the local house- thank you letters to a speaker who visited
hold hazardous waste management site their class.
and write a thank you letter to the speaker. - “Students know about letters, words,
• Design posters that show the proper dis- and sounds. They apply this knowledge
posal of household hazardous waste. to read simple sentences.” (English–Lan-
guage Arts Content Standards for Califor-
CORRELATIONS TO CALIFORNIA’S nia Public Schools, Kindergarten Through
CONTENT STANDARDS AND Grade Twelve, page 1)
FRAMEWORKS - Students write “personal and formal
• By listening to a speaker, students acquire letters, thank-you notes, and invitations
information on how to properly manage . . . (that) include the date, proper salu-
household hazardous waste. tation, body, closing, and signature.”
- Students “retell, paraphrase, and ex- (English–Language Arts Content Standards
plain what has been said by a speaker.” for California Public Schools, Kindergarten
(English–Language Arts Content Stan- Through Grade Twelve,
dards for California Public Schools, Kinder- page 18)
garten Through Grade Twelve, page 20) • Students make posters that show the
- Students “determine the purpose or proper disposal of household hazardous
purposes of listening (e.g., to get infor- waste.
mation, to solve problems, for enjoy- - “Students create original artworks
ment).” (English–Language Arts Content based on personal experiences or
Standards for California Public Schools, responses.” (Visual and Performing Arts

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management Lesson 3: Proper Disposal of


of Household Hazardous Waste 223 Household Hazardous Waste
Framework; Visual Art: Creative Expres- Scientific Thinking
sion Component, Goal 4, page 101) Processes
- “Scientific progress is made by asking observing, communicating, ordering,
meaningful questions and conducting comparing, classifying, relating
careful investigations. As a basis for
understanding this concept . . . stu- Time
dents will . . . communicate observa- 60 minutes to prepare for the lesson and
tions orally and in drawings.” (Science 90 minutes to implement the lesson.
Content Standards, Grades K–12; Kinder-
garten; Investigation and Experimenta- Vocabulary
tion, Standard 4e) household hazardous waste, pollution
(Select additional words that students are
curious about in this lesson.)

Preparation the container.


If you haven’t already done so,
___ 1. Read the “Background Information for collect at least ten empty and
the Teacher” at the end of this lesson. rinsed out household hazardous
___ 2. Identify agencies and organizations that product containers that have
deal with the proper disposal of hazard- some type of warning labels.
ous household products. Call the local You might be able to get some of
recycling center, household hazardous these from the school’s custo-
waste (HHW) coordinator, or health dian and some from your home.
department to find out about disposal • Obtain at least one one-gallon
procedures and other related issues, plastic water or milk jug. To
including locations of local household that container, add water and
hazardous waste collection sites. label it “used oil.”
You can also “Earth’s 911” at 1-800-
CLEANUP or visit the Web site at • Pour about a cup of water
www.1800cleanup.org for information on into half of the ten household
household hazardous waste and referrals hazardous waste containers.
to local program coordinators. These will represent con-
tainers that still contain the
___ 3. Invite a speaker to talk about disposing original product.
waste safely and recycling household
hazardous waste. • For added safety, tape all lids
on all containers.
___ 4. If you have obtained information packets
concerning the disposal of household • Label half of the nonhazard-
hazardous waste in your community, ous and hazardous product
prepare copies for students to take home. containers with “Team #1”
and the other half with “Team
___ 5. Duplicate sheets from “Safe House, Safe #2.”
Me!” (pages 229–234) to provide one set
for each group of six students (so that ___ b. If you do not wish to gather the
each student will have one sheet). containers, you can use the cards
printed in this lesson. Duplicate
___ 6. Do “a” and/or “b.” and cut apart two sets of the two
___ a. Collect ten containers from non- pages of “Cards Representing
hazardous products (e.g., food Various Products” in this lesson
and beverage containers, like (pages 235 and 236). Label the
cereal boxes, milk cartons, gallon first set “Team #1” and the sec-
plastic jugs). In half of these add ond set “Team #2.”
water or paper to represent the ___ 7. Prepare the playing area. This area can
presence of the product inside be in the classroom or outside.

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CLOSING THE LOOP 224 of Household Hazardous Waste
• Designate one area as the “House- • Each container has some type of
hold Hazardous Waste (HHW) warning information. Is this warn-
Collection Site” by placing a plastic ing for the contents inside or for the
tarp or sheet on the floor or ground. container itself? The contents inside.
• Within the HHW Collection Site, • If the container is totally empty, what
provide a box for HHW that can be can be done with it? Maybe it can be
recycled. Label this box “HHW for recycled, or it will need to go to the trash
Recycling.” Also provide a box for can. We can also read the label to see
HHW that can be reused. Label this whether it says anything about proper
box “HHW for Reusing.” disposal of the empty container. We can
• Designate an area on the other side look for the recycle symbol and plastic
of the playing field or classroom as numbers.
a “Regular (Nonhazardous) House- • How can we find out whether the
hold Waste Collection Site.” empty container can be recycled?
• Within that site designate a box for Find out what our community recycles
reusing, a box recycling, and a box by calling someone who works for a
for a landfill. Label the boxes “Re- garbage company.
use,” “Recycle,” “To Landfill.” • When do people want to dispose of
household hazardous waste? When
MATERIALS they no longer want it.
___ At least ten containers from nonhazardous • Could they give a household hazard-
products (half containing some product ous product in its original container

K–3 Module
simulated by using water or paper) to a neighbor to use; for example,

Unit 5
___ At least ten containers from household toilet bowl cleaner? Yes. Tell students
hazardous products with warning labels that it is recommended that the entire
(half containing a cup of water) contents in the container of a house-
___ One motor oil container with water and a hold hazardous product be used up.
label indicating “used oil” If a family no longer wants to use
___ If not using containers, you will need it and someone else wants to use it
“Cards Representing Various Products.” properly, then the family can give it
___ Copies of pages from “Safe House, Safe to someone else.
Me!” (a set for each group of six students) • If a family cannot give away a con-
___ Scissors tainer that still has some household
___ Colored pencils, crayons, or markers hazardous product in it (and since
___ Plastic tarp or sheet the family no longer wants it, and it
___ Five boxes (or five hula hoops) is now considered household hazard-
ous waste), what can the family do?
PRE-ACTIVITY QUESTIONS Don’t know; take it to a special place;
A. Ask students: throw it away. If someone says to put
it in the garbage can, tell students
• How do we usually handle our regular
that it is against the law to put house-
(nonhazardous) waste? We recycle it; we
hold hazardous waste, even if it is in
reuse it; we throw it in the garbage can.
a container, in the garbage can. If the
• What do reduce, reuse, and recycle container breaks or bursts when it is
have to do with trash? Reducing how compacted, the product could injure
much you use so you won’t have as much the person who collects the garbage
trash to throw away; reusing things, recy- or someone working at the landfill.
cling things like aluminum cans. The container could also leak from
B. With the pile of ten empty and rinsed out the landfill into surrounding areas.
containers that have some type of warning
labels placed in front of the students, lead
a discussion:

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management Lesson 3: Proper Disposal of


of Household Hazardous Waste 225 Household Hazardous Waste
PROCEDURE containers that have some type of warn-
ing labels. These will represent containers
A. Separate the class into groups of six stu-
that still contain the original products.
dents. Provide each group with a set of
For added safety, tape all lids on all con-
copied pages to color from the “Safe House,
tainers.
Safe Me!” coloring pages in this lesson.
• Half of the nonhazardous containers
• Provide colored pencils, crayons, or
should also have something in them,
markers to students.
such as waste or paper to represent
• Ask that each student complete one food.
page.
• Make sure that you have labeled half
• Once students have completed coloring, of the nonhazardous and hazardous
have each student read his or her page product containers with “Team #1”
with the group. and the other half with “Team #2.”
• Have each group compile its colored 2. If you do not wish to gather the contain-
pages into a booklet, which can be ers, you can use the “Cards Representing
stapled. Various Products” printed in this lesson.
• As a class, discuss what information we You might want to have students color
learned from the booklet. these.
• Tell students that some household • Make sure that you have made two
hazardous waste can be recycled. In sets of cards with “Team #1” written
our community these wastes include on each one of one set of cards and
used motor oil, antifreeze, and batteries. “Team #2” written on each one on the
(Note: Use the actual list from your com- other set of cards.
munity’s household hazardous waste • The cards can be laminated and kept
facility.) These should never be poured to use with other classes.
out on the ground or in storm drains,
Note: This game can be organized not as a relay
because they can pollute the environ-
but by using a point system based on accuracy.
ment. They should never be thrown into
Place the disposal boxes close together and have
the garbage can, because they can injure
students deposit their containers or cards in the
workers who collect garbage or work
appropriate disposal box. Give teams points for
at the landfill and can also pollute the
placing items in the correct disposal box. Another
landfill.
variation is to have the teacher ask for an item
Note: Consider allowing one student from each for a particular disposal box, and groups have to
group to take home the booklet overnight to send someone with the item to the teacher. This
share with family members. Then the booklet can be played for points or for prizes.
will need to be brought back for another student
C. Lead students to the playing area, or point it
to take home. If this set-up will not work for
out to them if the area is in the classroom.
your students, then consider providing a set of
pages from “Safe House, Safe Me!” especially 1. Indicate the location of the simulated
pages 1, 2, 3, and 5 (these can be copied on both “Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
sides of the paper to conserve paper), for stu- Collection Site.”
dents to color at home. 2. Point out the box within the “HHW
Note: You will need to adjust the following game Collection Site” for household hazard-
to the grade level of your students. ous waste that can be reused and the box
for household hazardous waste that can
B. If you have collected at least ten contain-
be recycled. Any household hazardous
ers from nonhazardous products and ten
waste that cannot be reused or recycled
empty and rinsed out containers (from
should be placed in a pile on the tarp.
hazardous products) that have some type of
warning labels, do #1. If you did not gather 3. Show students the “Regular (Nonhazard-
the containers, do #2. ous) Household Waste Collection Site,”
which should be on the other side of the
1. Make sure that you have poured about
playing field or classroom.
a cup of water into half of the ten empty

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CLOSING THE LOOP 226 of Household Hazardous Waste
4. Point out the boxes for reusing, recy- • Emphasize to students that the goal is not
cling, and the landfill within the “Regu- speed, but accuracy.
lar (Nonhazardous) Household Waste G. When the relay is over, have students look at
Collection Site.” each collection site and analyze its contents.
D. Tell students that the object of the game • Are all waste materials in their proper
is for students to place their containers or place? Was Team #1 or Team #2 more
cards in the appropriate area, based on accurate? (If needed, students will need
what is accepted and recycled in their com- to refer to what materials are recycled in
munity. their community.)
• If using real containers, students will • Where should some of these items be
need to notice those that are empty and placed? Ask students to take the items
those that are not. that were not placed in correct containers
• If using cards, ask students to assume to the correct containers.
that all containers contain some product H. If cards were used in the game, play the
for the first game. Then play a second game with a second set of cards. If containers
round of the game and have students were used in the game, consider playing the
assume that all containers are empty. game with cards.
Safety Note: Emphasize to students that they Note: For additional information and activities on
will pretend to be adults taking the household reducing, reusing, and recycling nonhazardous
hazardous waste to a proper household hazard- waste, see Unit 2 in the K–3 Module.
ous waste collection site in their community.
They should not touch these products at home I. If you plan to invite to the class a speaker

K–3 Module
unless approved by their parents or guardians. from the household hazardous waste collec-
tion site, do the following:

Unit 5
E. Separate students into two teams: Team #1
and Team #2. • Determine with students the purpose(s)
for listening to the speaker. To get informa-
• Give a set of containers or cards to each tion.
team.
• Develop a list of questions with students
• Ask each team to distribute at least one on what to ask the speaker. For example,
container or card to each student. what happens to the waste that is brought
• Ask the two teams of students to stand to a household hazardous waste collec-
in the middle between the “Household tion center?
Hazardous Waste Collection Site” and • Have the speaker talk to students about
the “Regular (Nonhazardous) House- the household hazardous waste recycling
hold Waste Collection Site.” and disposal site in the community. Stu-
Note: Students might not know where various dents should learn that the first way to
waste should go, so encourage them to guess. deal with a household hazardous product
The labels might give them a clue. The discus- is to use it all up. Then the container can
sion at the end of the game is important for be recycled or placed in the garbage can
students to learn where each waste should have (depending on your community’s solid
gone. waste management opportunities and the
F. Play the game in a relay fashion, but with- directions, if any, on the container).
out having students run. • Show the speaker the actual containers
• One student from each team will look of household hazardous waste that you
at his or her container or card and walk have collected for this lesson and/or the
to the appropriate disposal site, placing cards printed in this lesson, and ask the
the container or card in the appropriate speaker to help students determine the
place. proper disposal for each type of waste.
• These students walk back to their • After the speaker is gone, ask students to
groups, and the next student in line retell, paraphrase, or explain what was
deposits his or her container or card in said by the speaker.
the appropriate place.

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management Lesson 3: Proper Disposal of


of Household Hazardous Waste 227 Household Hazardous Waste
• Ask students to draw one thing that they D. Ask students to write a sentence or two
learned from the speaker. in their journals about what they have
• Have students write thank-you letters learned in this lesson. They can also draw
to the speaker. Older students should a picture. Have them share their jour-
include the date, proper salutation, body, nal entries in small groups. Check each
closing, and signature on the thank-you student’s writing.
letter. For younger students, combine
the writings into one letter to send to
the speaker. Some drawings could be
included in the letter. For older students,
consider sending most or all of their let-
ters to the speaker.
Note: The school’s custodian can also speak to
the class about how he or she disposes of the
containers for chemicals used to clean class-
rooms.

DISCUSSION/QUESTIONS
A. Ask students what the difference is between
household hazardous products and house-
hold hazardous waste. Household hazardous
products are products that are used at home
that could be poisonous or dangerous in other Submitted by Christina Lucas, second- and third-grade
ways. Household hazardous waste is the product teacher, Baywood Elementary School, San Luis Coastal
Unified School District.
you no longer want. Explain to students that
household hazardous waste can also be a
used product, such as used motor oil or Resources
used batteries. These can be recycled. Videos
B. Ask students how the game they played is Hazardous Waste, Whose Problem Is It Anyway?
similar to what happens in their community 1989. Available from the Environmental Health
in terms of household hazardous waste col- Coalition, San Diego (10 minutes).
lection. A class goes to different rooms in a house
and looks at the problems of household haz-
Application ardous products and waste. Discusses the
A. Discuss and, if necessary, teach students importance of reading labels, storing house-
how their families can get rid of household hold hazardous products safely, and dispos-
hazardous wastes no longer needed in order ing household hazardous waste safely.
to limit their harmful effects on the environ- Peter Paint and Pals, Produced by Creative Edge
ment and other people. Share with them Communications and City of Chino, 1996.
the information you have found out about Cartoon-type characters representing vari-
household hazardous waste disposal in ous household hazardous products explain
your community. why some household hazardous waste
B. Provide a handout of information on disposal methods are not acceptable and
household hazardous waste for students to discuss how to dispose properly of house-
take home to their families. An example of a hold hazardous waste.
letter to parents and other information that
applies to your community that you will Other Resources
need to complete this activity are provided Call “Earth’s 911” at 1-800-CLEANUP or
at the end of this lesson. visit the Web site at www.1800cleanup.org to
C. Ask students to make posters to inform acquire automated information on locations of
adults of the importance of taking house- recycling centers in your community.
hold hazardous waste to the household
hazardous waste facility.

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management


CLOSING THE LOOP 228 of Household Hazardous Waste
Student’s Page

Safe House, Safe Me!


(page 1)

K–3 Module
Unit 5

Keep in a safe place.

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management Lesson 3: Proper Disposal of


of Household Hazardous Waste 229 Household Hazardous Waste
Student’s Page

Safe House, Safe Me!


(page 2)

Antifreeze is poisonous.

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management


CLOSING THE LOOP 230 of Household Hazardous Waste
Student’s Page

Safe House, Safe Me!


(page 3)

K–3 Module
Unit 5

Do not dump used oil down a storm drain.

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management Lesson 3: Proper Disposal of


of Household Hazardous Waste 231 Household Hazardous Waste
Student’s Page

Safe House, Safe Me!


(page 4)

Paint thinner is dangerous to animals.

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management


CLOSING THE LOOP 232 of Household Hazardous Waste
Student’s Page

Safe House, Safe Me!


(page 5)

K–3 Module
Unit 5

Recycle old car batteries, leftover latex paint,


and used motor oil.

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management Lesson 3: Proper Disposal of


of Household Hazardous Waste 233 Household Hazardous Waste
Student’s Page

Safe House, Safe Me!


(page 6)

Everybody is safe.

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management


CLOSING THE LOOP 234 of Household Hazardous Waste
cards representing various products
(Household Hazardous Products)

Aerosol can Fertilizer

Toilet bowl cleaner Medicine

K–3 Module
Unit 5
Battery Paint

Window cleaner Pesticide

Antifreeze Motor oil

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management Lesson 3: Proper Disposal of


of Household Hazardous Waste 235 Household Hazardous Waste
cards representing various products
(Household Nonhazardous Products)

Milk jug Banana peel

Cereal box Aluminum soda can

Glass jar from jam Plastic jar from peanut butter

Soup can Plastic 2-liter beverage bottle

Shampoo bottle Box from baking soda

K-3 Module, Unit 5: Proper Management


CLOSING THE LOOP 236 of Household Hazardous Waste
(Use school’s letterhead.)

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Please read the following information with your child:

Our class is studying household hazardous products. Since the safety of children
is our highest priority, we have been studying the various kinds of household
hazardous products they may encounter, including:
- Aerosol cans
- Automotive products (including used oil and used oil filters)
- Batteries
- Cleaning products
- Fertilizer
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Fuels
- Medicines
- Paints (including wood preservatives and paint solvents)
- Pesticides

K–3 Module
Students have learned that:

Unit 5
• Containers containing any leftover household hazardous products should never
be placed in the trash.
• The contents of household hazardous products should never be poured down
the drain, on the ground, or into a storm drain.
• The contents of household hazardous products that are no longer wanted by the
family that bought them are called household hazardous waste (HHW).
• To protect people and water supplies and to keep our environment from
becoming polluted, the community provides a household hazardous waste
collection site where you can bring your household hazardous waste.

To increase home safety with household hazardous materials, the California


Integrated Waste Management Board suggests the following:
• Buy only what you need and will be able to use up.
• Use the product up.
• Give it to someone who could use it safely.
• Take it to the household hazardous waste disposal site. This is located on
.
The telephone number to call for information on the proper disposal of household
hazardous waste in our community is:

Thank you,

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of Household Hazardous Waste 237 Household Hazardous Waste
Background Information
For The Teacher
Research the types of household hazardous
waste collections that are available in your
the California Integrated Waste
community. Contact the county waste de-
partment or environmental health services.
Management Board)
Many communities sponsor monthly drop- A. Reduce
off events or maintain a permanent disposal Identify household hazardous products that
location for household hazardous wastes. can be used less. Consider whether the product
You can also call “Earth’s 911” at 1- is really needed and whether safer alternatives
800-CLEANUP or visit the Web site at are available.
www.1800cleanup.org for information on
household hazardous waste and referrals to B. Reuse (In the case of household hazardous
local program coordinators. waste, reuse can mean “to use up” the prod-
uct).
Household hazardous waste does not belong
in a landfill, on the ground, in the gutter, in Whenever possible use up the product or give
creeks or other bodies of water because it pol- it to someone who will use all of it. For ex-
lutes the environment. It belongs at a house- ample, reuse paint solvents by letting the paint
hold hazardous waste collection site. Some sludge settle and then reuse the solvent. Some
household hazardous wastes can be recycled. charities accept excess paints that they will use.
In fact, recycling used motor oil is the only Household hazardous waste collections pro-
safe and legal option. The following informa- grams may offer opportunities to reuse items.
tion explains the household hazardous waste C. Recycle
disposal options.
Recycle those household hazardous wastes that
Recommendations for Household Haz- can be recycled in your community. Used auto-
ardous Wastes (HHW) mobile oil, used oil filters, used antifreeze, used
• Keep all household hazardous products batteries, and leftover paints are the principal
and wastes out of the reach of children household hazardous waste that are recyclable.
and pets. None of these should ever be poured into
storm drains or sewers, because these may be
• Read the label before handling any house-
directly connected to streams or other bodies
hold chemicals.
of water and the waste will pollute the water.
• Avoid mixing household wastes together To find out how and where to recycle used
for disposal. automobile oil, oil filters, and antifreeze, call
• Avoid putting a hazardous product in a the county’s recycling or household hazard-
different container. ous waste coordinator or the Environmental
Protection Agency’s environmental hotline
• Use the product up before recycling or
1-800-CLEAN-UP. Note that recycling used oil
disposing the empty container. (Follow di-
and used oil filters is the only legal and envi-
rections on the container’s label on how to
ronmentally safe way of handling this resource.
dispose properly of the empty container.)
• Call the local county recycling agency, D. Safe Disposal
health department, or household hazard- • Many cities and counties have a perma-
ous waste coordinator to learn proper nent household hazardous waste col-
disposal and/or recycling/reuse options lection facility. Some of these household
in your community. hazardous waste collection facilities are
• Take household hazardous waste to a called ABOP, which is an acronym for the
household hazardous waste collection site four items that are accepted at that
or event in your community. facility:
- Antifreeze
Actions to Take Concerning HHW
(In the order recommended by - Batteries
- Oil (used motor oil)

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CLOSING THE LOOP 238 of Household Hazardous Waste
- Paint - Fuels
• Many communities organize household - Medicines
hazardous waste collection events. Call - Paints (including wood preservatives
the county recycling or household hazard- and paint solvents)
ous waste coordinator for locations of lo- - Pesticides
cal household hazardous waste collection
events. • None of the above products should be
placed in a trash can or poured down a
• Some household hazardous waste col- drain.
lection facilities or household hazardous
waste collection events accept all of the • Most household hazardous waste col-
following: lection facilities or household hazardous
waste collection events do not accept am-
- Aerosol cans munition, explosives, radioactive materi-
- Automotive products (including used als, or infectious wastes.
motor oil and used motor oil filters)
Note: For more information, see “Appendix
- Batteries B–VI, Household Hazardous Wastes.”
- Cleaning products
- Fertilizer
- Fluorescent light bulbs

K–3 Module
Unit 5
Mendo-Lake HazMobile collects household hazardous waste on specific days throughout the year in Mendocino and
Lake counties.

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of Household Hazardous Waste 239 Household Hazardous Waste
NOTES

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CLOSING THE LOOP 240 of Household Hazardous Waste

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